Different Types Of Ceramic Glazes

Clay and glaze 101.

Different types of ceramic glazes.

Ceramic glaze is an impervious layer or coating of a vitreous substance which has been fused to a ceramic body through firing. Whether you work in a high fire low fire or mid fire environment blick carries the top brands of ceramic glazes and glaze additives for creating gloss matte crystalline metallic raku celadon and many other effects. Gloss glazes create a very shiny and reflective surface note that if you want to photograph your pieces then gloss can be tricky to obtain a good effect with due to reflection of the shiny surface. The artistic element of glazing your pottery can be very exciting and rewarding.

You ll also find dramatic low fire glazes. Glazes come in literally thousands of combinations of colors textures styles and types that can be applied in many different ways and fired at a range of temperatures. Glazing renders earthenware vessels suitable for holding liquids sealing the inherent porosity of unglazed biscuit earthenware. Types of glazes run the gamut but if you re looking to break them down into very basic categories then here are a couple of examples.

This is important as otherwise the glaze would run off the vertical surfaces of the pots when brought up to temperature in the kiln. So an understanding of the different types of ceramic glaze available is a great starting point. It also gives a tougher surface. The specialist ball milled dipping glazes are packed in 10l buckets.

Opalescence it reflects the lustrous light on the glazed finish of the pot bentonite it holds all the components into suspension while they are under the firing process opacifiers they give an opaque or white background to the glaze bone ash and tin oxide are two different and widely used opacifiers. Most glazes are available in both brush on or powder form. Glaze can serve to color decorate or waterproof an item. Glaze is also used on stoneware and porcelain.

The brush on glazes are packaged in 500 ml 1 litre containers. Celadon is a term for pottery denoting both wares glazed in the jade green celadon color also known as greenware the term specialists now tend to use and a type of transparent glaze often with small cracks that was first used on greenware but later used on other porcelains celadon originated in china though the term is purely european and notable kilns such as the longquan kiln in. Create stunning colors finishes and effects on your handmade ceramic pieces with pottery glazes from blick. The glaze powders are packaged in 1 kg and 25 kg bags.

To view glaze application techniques refer to our fact sheet. The basics of glaze. What exactly is glaze. So choosing a pottery glaze involves practical and artistic considerations.

Firing clay and glaze. When molten this specialized glass is stiffer than glass that is poured or blown is. The basics of clay. Earthenware lead free.

Glazes are a type of glass that are especially made to stick onto pots and other ceramic surfaces. It s a wonderful feeling to produce something that looks lovely.